A SEA-GOING MARINE'S PHOTOS
On Quarterdeck - 1941 prior to war's beginning. Ship at 10-10 Dock,
Pearl Harbor. Note masts of battleships in "Battleship Row," over
Starboard Quarter. Arthur Wells nearest Marine in first row.
U.S.S. Pennsylvania's Executive Officer inspecting Marine Detachment - 1941.
Marine Detachment Officers and Non-coms. Captain
Robert Cushman, 4th in front row from left, later became
the United States Marine Corps Commandant.
Kangaroo Court fun in Marine Compartment.
More Kangaroo Court activity in Marine Compartment.
Three Buddies, University of Hawaii Campus - 1941.
Arthur Wells - N D Durham - Dewey Flanagan.
1stSgt. William Smith, Marine Detachment.
Corp. Arthur W. Wells - Early 1942 in
San Francisco, California.
R & R topside U.S.S. Pennsylvania in Hawaiian waters - 1941.
Scout plane catapulted off U.S.S Pennsylvania - 1941.
Capt. C. M. Cooke, Jr. ship's captain - 1941.
Adm. Husband E. Kimmel, commanding
U.S. Pacific Fleet - 1941.
One of the 69 Marines wounded during the Japanese attack December 7,
1941. Original copy was donated to the USMC Historical Center,
Washington, DC. He also donated his copy of the 1943 Edition of the First
Sergeant's Handbook, used by him at the Marine Barracks, Pearl Harbor
Navy Yard in the spring of 1943, because the Center didn't have one.
Thanksgiving Menu Cover - 1941.
Thanksgiving Dinner - 1941.
Christmas Menu Cover - 1941.
No shipboard food shortage during these first days of war in 1941
His U.S.S. Pennsylvania Liberty Card. It was
issued in January 1942 and used until his transfer
to U.S.S. New Mexico in September 1942.
He blinked at an inopportune moment! Name of
ship not shown on card after Japanese attack.
Card issued to ship's crew to prevent men going
for seconds because of food shortage caused by
supply ship running aground North of the Fiji
Islands, in the South Pacific early 1943.
Japanese money found in Saipan cave in one of two leather valises
packed with uncirculated sen & yen, maps, records, one Rising Sun
medal, pornographic photos and literature, and one Japanese flag.
Cave contained the bodies of one Japanese officer, three enlisted
men and one woman. The officer and enlisted had apparently
committed hari-kari. Saipan was about half captured and the cave
was about midway up the island. The maps had gun positions
indicated on Saipan and the island of Tinian. The maps and records
were turned in promptly to Intelligence.
The girl waiting Stateside. This photo
carried in his wallet for 63-years.
Married November 11, 1945, and
now blessed with 64-years together.
Copyright© Arthur W. Wells